CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
01 - A lawyer shall not use or permit the use of any false,
(Promulgated June 21, 1988)
CHAPTER I. THE LAWYER AND SOCIETY
CANON 1 - A LAWYER SHALL UPHOLD THE
CONSTITUTION, OBEY THE LAWS OF THE LAND
AND PROMOTE RESPECT FOR LAW OF AND LEGAL
PROCESSES.
Rule 1.01 - A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest,
immoral or deceitful conduct.
Rule 1.02 - A lawyer shall not counsel or abet activities aimed
at defiance of the law or at lessening confidence in the legal
system.
Rule 1.03 - A lawyer shall not, for any corrupt motive or
interest, encourage any suit or proceeding or delay any man's
cause.
Rule 1.04 - A lawyer shall encourage his clients to avoid, end or
settle a controversy if it will admit of a fair settlement.
CANON 2 - A LAWYER SHALL MAKE HIS LEGAL
SERVICES AVAILABLE IN AN EFFICIENT AND
CONVENIENT MANNER COMPATIBLE WITH THE
INDEPENDENCE, INTEGRITY AND EFFECTIVENESS
OF THE PROFESSION.
Rule 2.01 - A lawyer shall not reject, except for valid reasons,
the cause of the defenseless or the oppressed.
Rule 2.02 - In such cases, even if the lawyer does not accept a
case, he shall not refuse to render legal advice to the person
concerned if only to the extent necessary to safeguard the
latter's rights.
Rule 2.03 - A lawyer shall not do or permit to be done any act
designed primarily to solicit legal business.
Rule 2.04 - A lawyer shall not charge rates lower than those
customarily prescribed unless the circumstances so warrant.
CANON 3 - A LAWYER IN MAKING KNOWN HIS
LEGAL SERVICES SHALL USE ONLY TRUE, HONEST,
FAIR, DIGNIFIED AND OBJECTIVE INFORMATION
OR STATEMENT OF FACTS.
Rule 3.
fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, undignified, self-laudatory or
unfair statement or claim regarding his qualifications or legal
services.
Rule 3.02 - In the choice of a firm name, no false, misleading or
assumed name shall be used. The continued use of the name of
a deceased partner is permissible provided that the firm
indicates in all its communications that said partner is deceased.
Rule 3.03 - Where a partner accepts public office, he shall
withdrawal from the firm and his name shall be dropped from
the firm name unless the law allows him to practice law
currently.
Rule 3.04 - A lawyer shall not pay or give anything of value to
representatives of the mass media in anticipation of, or in return
for, publicity to attract legal business.
CANON 4 - A LAWYER SHALL PARTICIPATE IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM BY
INITIATING OR SUPPORTING EFFORTS IN LAW
REFORM AND IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
CANON 5 - A LAWYER SHALL KEEP ABREAST OF
LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS, PARTICIPATE IN
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS,
SUPPORT EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE HIGH STANDARDS
IN LAW SCHOOLS AS WELL AS IN THE PRACTICAL
TRAINING OF LAW STUDENTS AND ASSIST IN
DISSEMINATING THE LAW AND JURISPRUDENCE.
CANON 6 - THESE CANONS SHALL APPLY TO
LAWYERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN THE
DISCHARGE OF THEIR TASKS.
Rule 6.01 - The primary duty of a lawyer engaged in public
prosecution is not to convict but to see that justice is done. The
suppression of facts or the concealment of witnesses capable of
establishing the innocence of the accused is highly
reprehensible and is cause for disciplinary action.
Rule 6.02 - A lawyer in the government service shall not use his
public position to promote or advance his private interests, nor
allow the latter to interfere with his public duties.
Rule 6.03 - A lawyer shall not, after leaving government service,
accept engagement or employment in connection with any
matter in which he had intervened while in said service.

CHAPTER II. THE LAWYER AND THE LEGAL
PROFESSION
CANON 7 - A LAWYER SHALL AT ALL TIMES
UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY AND DIGNITY OF THE
LEGAL PROFESSION AND SUPPORT THE
ACTIVITIES OF THE INTEGRATED BAR.
Rule 7.01 - A lawyer shall be answerable for knowingly making
a false statement or suppressing a material fact in connection
with his application for admission to the bar.
Rule 7.02 - A lawyer shall not support the application for
admission to the bar of any person known by him to be
unqualified in respect to character, education, or other relevant
attribute.
Rule 7.03 - A lawyer shall not engage in conduct that adversely
reflects on his fitness to practice law, nor shall he whether in
public or private life, behave in a scandalous manner to the
discredit of the legal profession.
CANON 8 - A LAWYER SHALL CONDUCT HIMSELF
WITH COURTESY, FAIRNESS AND CANDOR
TOWARDS HIS PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES, AND
SHALL AVOID HARASSING TACTICS AGAINST
OPPOSING COUNSEL.
Rule 8.01 - A lawyer shall not, in his professional dealings, use
language which is abusive, offensive or otherwise improper.
Rule 8.02 - A lawyer shall not, directly or indirectly, encroach
upon the professional employment of another lawyer, however,
it is the right of any lawyer, without fear or favor, to give proper
advice and assistance to those seeking relief against unfaithful
or neglectful counsel.
CANON 9 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, ASSIST IN THE UNAUTHORIZED
PRACTICE OF LAW.
Rule 9.01 - A lawyer shall not delegate to any unqualified
person the performance of any task which by law may only be
performed by a member of the bar in good standing.
Rule 9.02 - A lawyer shall not divide or stipulate to divide a fee
for legal services with persons not licensed to practice law,
except:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) Where there is a pre-existing agreement with a partner or
associate that, upon the latter's death, money shall be paid over
a reasonable period of time to his estate or to persons specified
in the agreement; or
(b) Where a lawyer undertakes to complete unfinished legal
business of a deceased lawyer; or
(c) Where a lawyer or law firm includes non-lawyer employees
in a retirement plan even if the plan is based in whole or in part,
on a profit sharing agreement.
CHAPTER III. THE LAWYER AND THE COURTS
CANON 10 - A LAWYER OWES CANDOR, FAIRNESS
AND GOOD FAITH TO THE COURT.
Rule 10.01 - A lawyer shall not do any falsehood, nor consent
to the doing of any in Court; nor shall he mislead, or allow the
Court to be misled by any artifice.
Rule 10.02 - A lawyer shall not knowingly misquote or
misrepresent the contents of a paper, the language or the
argument of opposing counsel, or the text of a decision or
authority, or knowingly cite as law a provision already rendered
inoperative by repeal or amendment, or assert as a fact that
which has not been proved.
Rule 10.03 - A lawyer shall observe the rules of procedure and
shall not misuse them to defeat the ends of justice.
CANON 11 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE AND
MAINTAIN THE RESPECT DUE TO THE COURTS AND
TO JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND SHOULD INSIST ON
SIMILAR CONDUCT BY OTHERS.
Rule 11.01 - A lawyer shall appear in court properly attired.
Rule 11.02 - A lawyer shall punctually appear at court hearings.
Rule 11.03 - A lawyer shall abstain from scandalous, offensive
or menacing language or behavior before the Courts.
Rule 11.04 - A lawyer shall not attribute to a Judge motives not
supported by the record or have no materiality to the case.
Rule 11.05 - A lawyer shall submit grievances against a Judge
to the proper authorities only.
CANON 12 - A LAWYER SHALL EXERT EVERY
EFFORT AND CONSIDER IT HIS DUTY TO ASSIST IN
THE SPEEDY AND EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF
JUSTICE.
Rule 12.01 - A lawyer shall not appear for trial unless he has
adequately prepared himself on the law and the facts of his case,
the evidence he will adduce and the order of its proferrence. He
should also be ready with the original documents for
comparison with the copies.
Rule 12.02 - A lawyer shall not file multiple actions arising
from the same cause.
Rule 12.03 - A lawyer shall not, after obtaining extensions of
time to file pleadings, memoranda or briefs, let the period lapse
without submitting the same or offering an explanation for his
failure to do so.
Rule 12.04 - A lawyer shall not unduly delay a case, impede the
execution of a judgment or misuse Court processes.
Rule 12.05 - A lawyer shall refrain from talking to his witness
during a break or recess in the trial, while the witness is still
under examination.
Rule 12.06 - A lawyer shall not knowingly assist a witness to
misrepresent himself or to impersonate another.
Rule 12.07 - A lawyer shall not abuse, browbeat or harass a
witness nor needlessly inconvenience him.
Rule 12.08 - A lawyer shall avoid testifying in behalf of his
client, except:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) on formal matters, such as the mailing, authentication or
custody of an instrument, and the like; or
(b) on substantial matters, in cases where his testimony is
essential to the ends of justice, in which event he must, during
his testimony, entrust the trial of the case to another counsel.
CANON 13 - A LAWYER SHALL RELY UPON THE
MERITS OF HIS CAUSE AND REFRAIN FROM ANY
IMPROPRIETY WHICH TENDS TO INFLUENCE, OR
GIVES THE APPEARANCE OF INFLUENCING THE
COURT.
Rule 13.01 - A lawyer shall not extend extraordinary attention
or hospitality to, nor seek opportunity for cultivating familiarity
with Judges.
Rule 13.02 - A lawyer shall not make public statements in the
media regarding a pending case tending to arouse public
opinion for or against a party.
Rule 13.03 - A lawyer shall not brook or invite interference by
another branch or agency of the government in the normal
course of judicial proceedings.
CHAPTER IV. THE LAWYER AND THE CLIENT
CANON 14 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT REFUSE HIS
SERVICES TO THE NEEDY.
Rule 14.01 - A lawyer shall not decline to represent a person
solely on account of the latter's race, sex. creed or status of life,
or because of his own opinion regarding the guilt of said person.
Rule 14.02 - A lawyer shall not decline, except for serious and
sufficient cause, an appointment as counsel de officio or as
amicus curiae, or a request from the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines or any of its chapters for rendition of free legal aid.
Rule 14.03 - A lawyer may not refuse to accept representation
of an indigent client if:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) he is not in a position to carry out the work effectively or
competently;
(b) he labors under a conflict of interest between him and the
prospective client or between a present client and the
prospective client.
Rule 14.04 - A lawyer who accepts the cause of a person unable
to pay his professional fees shall observe the same standard of
conduct governing his relations with paying clients.
CANON 15 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE CANDOR,
FAIRNESS AND LOYALTY IN ALL HIS DEALINGS
AND TRANSACTIONS WITH HIS CLIENTS.
Rule 15.01. - A lawyer, in conferring with a prospective client,
shall ascertain as soon as practicable whether the matter would
involve a conflict with another client or his own interest, and if
so, shall forthwith inform the prospective client.
Rule 15.02.- A lawyer shall be bound by the rule on privilege
communication in respect of matters disclosed to him by a
prospective client.
Rule 15.03. - A lawyer shall not represent conflicting interests
except by written consent of all concerned given after a full
disclosure of the facts.
Rule 15.04. - A lawyer may, with the written consent of all
concerned, act as mediator, conciliator or arbitrator in settling
disputes.
Rule 15.05. - A lawyer when advising his client, shall give a
candid and honest opinion on the merits and probable results of
the client's case, neither overstating nor understating the
prospects of the case.
Rule 15.06. - A lawyer shall not state or imply that he is able to
influence any public official, tribunal or legislative body.
Rule 15.07. - A lawyer shall impress upon his client compliance
with the laws and the principles of fairness.
Rule 15.08. - A lawyer who is engaged in another profession or
occupation concurrently with the practice of law shall make
clear to his client whether he is acting as a lawyer or in another
capacity.
CANON 16 - A LAWYER SHALL HOLD IN TRUST ALL
MONEYS AND PROPERTIES OF HIS CLIENT THAT
MAY COME INTO HIS PROFESSION.
Rule 16.01 - A lawyer shall account for all money or property
collected or received for or from the client.
Rule 16.02 - A lawyer shall keep the funds of each client
separate and apart from his own and those of others kept by
him.
Rule 16.03 - A lawyer shall deliver the funds and property of
his client when due or upon demand. However, he shall have a
lien over the funds and may apply so much thereof as may be
necessary to satisfy his lawful fees and disbursements, giving
notice promptly thereafter to his client. He shall also have a lien
to the same extent on all judgments and executions he has
secured for his client as provided for in the Rules of Court.
Rule 16.04 - A lawyer shall not borrow money from his client
unless the client's interest are fully protected by the nature of the
case or by independent advice. Neither shall a lawyer lend
money to a client except, when in the interest of justice, he has
to advance necessary expenses in a legal matter he is handling
for the client.
CANON 17 - A LAWYER OWES FIDELITY TO THE
CAUSE OF HIS CLIENT AND HE SHALL BE MINDFUL
OF THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE REPOSED IN HIM.
CANON 18 - A LAWYER SHALL SERVE HIS CLIENT
WITH COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE.
Rules 18.01 - A lawyer shall not undertake a legal service
which he knows or should know that he is not qualified to
render. However, he may render such service if, with the
consent of his client, he can obtain as collaborating counsel a
lawyer who is competent on the matter.
Rule 18.02 - A lawyer shall not handle any legal matter without
adequate preparation.
Rule 18.03 - A lawyer shall not neglect a legal matter entrusted
to him, and his negligence in connection therewith shall render
him liable.
Rule 18.04 - A lawyer shall keep the client informed of the
status of his case and shall respond within a reasonable time to
the client's request for information.
CANON 19 - A LAWYER SHALL REPRESENT HIS
CLIENT WITH ZEAL WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE
LAW.
Rule 19.01 - A lawyer shall employ only fair and honest means
to attain the lawful objectives of his client and shall not present,
participate in presenting or threaten to present unfounded
criminal charges to obtain an improper advantage in any case or
proceeding.
Rule 19.02 - A lawyer who has received information that his
client has, in the course of the representation, perpetrated a
fraud upon a person or tribunal, shall promptly call upon the
client to rectify the same, and failing which he shall terminate
the relationship with such client in accordance with the Rules of
Court.
Rule 19.03 - A lawyer shall not allow his client to dictate the
procedure in handling the case.
CANON 20 - A LAWYER SHALL CHARGE ONLY FAIR
AND REASONABLE FEES.
Rule 20.01 - A lawyer shall be guided by the following factors
in determining his fees:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(a) the time spent and the extent of the service rendered or
required;
(b) the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved;
(c) The importance of the subject matter;
(d) The skill demanded;
(e) The probability of losing other employment as a result of
acceptance of the proffered case;
(f) The customary charges for similar services and the schedule
of fees of the IBP chapter to which he belongs;
(g) The amount involved in the controversy and the benefits
resulting to the client from the service;
(h) The contingency or certainty of compensation;
(i) The character of the employment, whether occasional or
established; and
(j) The professional standing of the lawyer.
Rule 20.02 - A lawyer shall, in case of referral, with the consent
of the client, be entitled to a division of fees in proportion to the
work performed and responsibility assumed.
Rule 20.03 - A lawyer shall not, without the full knowledge and
consent of the client, accept any fee, reward, costs, commission,
interest, rebate or forwarding allowance or other compensation
whatsoever related to his professional employment from anyone
other than the client.
Rule 20.04 - A lawyer shall avoid controversies with clients
concerning his compensation and shall resort to judicial action
only to prevent imposition, injustice or fraud.
CANON 21 - A LAWYER SHALL PRESERVE THE
CONFIDENCE AND SECRETS OF HIS CLIENT EVEN
AFTER THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATION IS
TERMINATED.
Rule 21.01 - A lawyer shall not reveal the confidences or
secrets of his client except;
(a) When authorized by the client after acquainting him of the
consequences of the disclosure;
(b) When required by law;
(c) When necessary to collect his fees or to defend himself, his
employees or associates or by judicial action.
Rule 21.02 - A lawyer shall not, to the disadvantage of his client,
use information acquired in the course of employment, nor shall
he use the same to his own advantage or that of a third person,
unless the client with full knowledge of the circumstances
consents thereto.
Rule 21.03 - A lawyer shall not, without the written consent of
his client, give information from his files to an outside agency
seeking such information for auditing, statistical, bookkeeping,
accounting, data processing, or any similar purpose.
Rule 21.04 - A lawyer may disclose the affairs of a client of the
firm to partners or associates thereof unless prohibited by the
client.
Rule 21.05 - A lawyer shall adopt such measures as may be
required to prevent those whose services are utilized by him,
from disclosing or using confidences or secrets of the clients.
Rule 21.06 - A lawyer shall avoid indiscreet conversation about
a client's affairs even with members of his family.

Rule 21.07 - A lawyer shall not reveal that he has been

consulted about a particular case except to avoid possible
conflict of interest.

CANON 22 - A LAWYER SHALL WITHDRAW HIS

SERVICES ONLY FOR GOOD CAUSE AND UPON
NOTICE APPROPRIATE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Rule 22.01 - A lawyer may withdraw his services in any of the

following case:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(a) When the client pursues an illegal or immoral course of

conduct in connection with the matter he is handling;

(b) When the client insists that the lawyer pursue conduct
violative of these canons and rules;

(c) When his inability to work with co-counsel will not promote
the best interest of the client;

(d) When the mental or physical condition of the lawyer renders

it difficult for him to carry out the employment effectively;

(e) When the client deliberately fails to pay the fees for the
services or fails to comply with the retainer agreement;

(f) When the lawyer is elected or appointed to public office; and

(g) Other similar cases.

Rule 22.02 - A lawyer who withdraws or is discharged shall,

subject to a retainer lien, immediately turn over all papers and
property to which the client is entitled, and shall cooperative
with his successor in the orderly transfer of the matter,
including all information necessary for the proper handling of
the matter.